BMXs Often Suck As City Bikes

You ever see someone riding a BMX around the city and think, “Yeah, that looks… fun?”

You’d be wrong. The reality? It’s a terrible idea. It’s like trying to use a jackhammer as a pillow—yeah, it works, but it’s a disaster. Let’s break this down.

1. The One-Gear Nightmare

BMX bikes are built to do tricks, not for long, casual rides.

You get one gear. One. If you’re on flat land and it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to the grocery store, maybe you can make it work.

But after 20 minutes of pedaling like you’re in the Tour de France, you’re gonna want to set it on fire.

City bikes are made for comfort and efficiency—geared for all types of terrain and situations.

With a BMX, you’re stuck with a one-gear disaster unless you’re living on a flat surface, but I’m guessing that’s not the whole world.

2. Uncomfortable As Hell

It’s like sitting on a piece of concrete. Seriously. BMX seats are tiny and designed for tricks, not long rides.

If you even try to sit on it for longer than 15 minutes, your ass will scream louder than your tired legs.

But hey, at least it’s a perfect setup if you want to feel every bump in the road.

You want comfort? Go grab a hybrid bike.

3. Posture: The “Eternal Stand”

You ever seen a BMX rider sitting down? No. Because they don’t.

They ride standing up, pushing hard to get speed, and gritting their teeth through the pain.

This isn’t a casual bike you hop on for a nice, leisurely ride. It’s a tool built for adrenaline junkies doing wheelies or popping off curbs—not for pedaling aimlessly down city streets.

If you’re gonna get anywhere, it’s gonna be with your back aching, knees burning, and a serious case of “What was I thinking?”

4. Not Built for Cargo

You ever try carrying groceries on a BMX? No? Well, I don’t recommend it. The moment you try, you’ll find yourself stuck with nowhere to put your stuff. No racks.

No baskets. No nothing. It’s just you and your backpack. It’s a one-man show, and you’re the sucker. Sure, you can throw on those “pegs” for tricks, but those won’t help when you’re hauling around your lunch.

5. No Gears, No Speed

Maybe you’re fast, maybe you’re not. But on a BMX, you’re basically stuck at a crawl unless you’re willing to stand and strain.

City biking is about cruising—geared bikes let you shift easily, adjust to different terrain, and go faster.

A BMX? You’re in the same low gear forever. Try overtaking traffic. You won’t. But maybe that’s just how they want it in their own little BMX world, where pain and struggle are the only real rewards.

6. Heavy As Hell

Ever tried lifting a BMX? It’s like carrying a small child. It’s built solid, built tough, but not built for convenience. You want something lightweight and efficient, a city bike is your answer. If you want to win at the “getting stuck on the stairs” game, BMX is the way to go.

7. Built for Tricks, Not Distance

Let’s be real. BMX bikes are designed for tricks, not commuting. They’re designed to handle jumps, spins, and flips. But commuting? It’s like using a hammer to drive a nail when all you really need is a screwdriver. Sure, you can get to your destination, but at what cost? Your dignity. Your comfort. Your sanity.

Summary Table:

Point	BMX	City Bike
Gear System	Single gear	Multiple gears for versatility
Comfort	Uncomfortable, hard seat	Comfortable, built for long rides
Posture	Standing, uncomfortable	Relaxed, ergonomic
Cargo	No cargo options	Built-in racks and storage
Speed	Slow, one gear only	Fast, adjustable gears for city terrain
Weight	Heavy, hard to carry	Lightweight and portable
Purpose	Trick-focused	Built for everyday commuting

BMXs in the city are like mixing whiskey with soda—you can do it, but it’s never really gonna be good. I’ve been there, felt the burn of the awkward ride, and wiped my sweaty face after a grueling stretch down the street, cursing the decision.

It’s not for the faint of heart. BMXs weren’t made to cruise, to zip past traffic, or to carry anything but your ego.

So if you’re thinking about dragging that old BMX out of the corner and trying to make it work as a commuter bike, maybe think again. Or don’t. It’s your life, after all. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The BMX is an angry little beast, and it doesn’t care about your comfort or convenience. It only cares about jumping off things and pretending it’s still a kid’s toy.

The choice is yours. You can either ride the pain train or find something that won’t make you wish for a life in a wheelchair after a mile. I’ll see you at the hospital, maybe.